Corentin Moutet Bows to Etcheverry in Rio Open Opener
In a thrilling first-round encounter at the Rio Open, Corentin Moutet fell in straight sets to Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry by a score of 6-3, 7-6.
Despite being the underdog in the match (Etcheverry is ranked 43rd in the world, while Moutet stands at 66th), the Frenchman put up a spirited fight but was ultimately unable to overcome his opponent’s superior serve (77% first-serve percentage) and forceful return game.
The match started with both players holding their opening service games. However, Etcheverry broke Moutet in the third game and consolidated the break with a hold of his own to take a 3-1 lead. Moutet fought back, breaking back immediately, but Etcheverry regained the initiative by breaking Moutet again in the seventh game to take a 5-3 advantage. Etcheverry then served out the set, sealing the 6-3 victory with an ace.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with both players holding their serve until the seventh game. Etcheverry again seized the momentum, breaking Moutet and taking a 5-2 lead. Moutet showed resilience, however, and rallied back to break Etcheverry in the eighth game. Moutet then held his serve to force a tiebreaker.
The tiebreaker was a tense affair, with both players trading blows. In the end, it was Etcheverry who prevailed, winning 7-4 to claim the second set and secure the victory.
"It was a tough match," Moutet said after the game. "Etcheverry played really well, especially on serve. I had my chances, but I couldn’t capitalize on them."
Despite the disappointing result, Moutet can take solace in the fact that he pushed a higher-ranked opponent to the limit. With two Frenchmen remaining in the tournament, he will be hoping to cheer them on and learn from their experiences as he prepares for his next challenge.
Gaston and Muller Carry French Hopes in Rio
Hugo Gaston and Alexandre Muller are the two Frenchmen still alive in the Rio Open draw. Gaston will face Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo in a second-round match on Wednesday night. Cerundolo is coming off a three-set win over Tomas Barrios Vera in the first round.
Muller, meanwhile, will take on Brazilian prodigy Joao Fonseca in a highly anticipated clash of rising stars. Fonseca, who is just 16 years old, has impressed the home crowd with his aggressive play and has already taken down two higher-ranked opponents in the tournament.
Both Gaston and Muller will be looking to make a deep run in Rio and continue the proud tradition of French tennis excellence.
